Costa Rica's environmentalists for years have been trying to get hunting banned, with little success. So this year, they turned to a popular initiative and forced a bill in front of the legislature. It passed and is poised to make it the first country in the Americas to ban virtually all hunting.

Costa Rica, a tropical country known for its national parks and ecotourism, has taken a step to protect its environment. But in this environmentally conscious nation, a new ban on hunting faces obstacles.

Costa Rica, a tropical country known for its national parks and ecotourism, has taken a step to protect its environment. But in this environmentally conscious nation, a new ban on hunting faces obstacles.

Costa Rica's environmentalists for years have been trying to get hunting banned, with little success. So this year, they turned to a popular initiative and forced a bill in front of the legislature. It passed and is poised to make it the first country in the Americas to ban virtually all hunting.